The RMT has denied reports that TfL union members are demanding two-for-one Legoland tickets as part of their strike negotiations, dismissing the claims as “complete nonsense”.
Tube strikes have brought large parts of London to a standstill this week, with widespread disruption forcing commuters to seek alternative routes across the capital.
Long queues have formed at bus stations and outside Elizabeth Line entrances during peak hours, as the city grapples with a heavily reduced Underground service amid ongoing industrial action organised by trade union RMT.
Both Downing Street and Mayor Sadiq Khan have urged the union and Transport for London (TfL) to return to the negotiating table to bring an end to the strikes.
The RMT has rejected a 3.4% pay rise and is campaigning for a cut in the 35-hour working week, which London Underground says is unaffordable.
Reports in The Telegraph and the Daily Mail on Monday claimed the union’s demands included access to a rail travel card that offers discounted entry to tourist attractions, including Legoland and Thorpe Park.
The claim appears to have stemmed from the union’s call for a 75% discount on nationwide rail fares for TfL workers.
When shown the Telegraph article, RMT lead negotiator Jared Wood reportedly laughed out loud.
He told The Standard: "The idea that this is any part of industrial negotiations is complete nonsense.
“We were completely unaware of that provision [in the rail card benefit scheme].
“It's something the rail travel scheme appear to have agreed with certain attraction operators. It's not part of the dispute. It's not something we have demanded."
The national staff rail card scheme is run by the Rail Delivery Group, not TfL, and is not in TfL's gift to provide to staff.
All TfL staff get a free annual all-zones Travelcard - and one for a nominated family member or friend.
The RMT called its 10,400 Tube members out on a rolling strike that began on Sunday and is expected to affect services until Friday mid-morning.
The union wants London Mayor Sadiq Khan to offer concessions on its demand for a 32-hour, four-day week.
This is because Sir Sadiq found £30 million from City Hall resources to give Tube staff a bumper pay rise and avert a RMT strike in January 2024.
But the mayor, speaking to London media on Monday afternoon, said last year’s intervention was because of “exceptional circumstances” – and said he was “not able to do so” again.
He told The Standard: “I think what is really important for the RMT and TfL to get round the table and talk about the differences they have got and try to meet them when they can.
“I can’t sugar-coat the fact that these strikes are incredibly bad news for our city.
“They are bad news for patients who are struggling to meet hospital appointments. They are bad news for parents who find it really hard to get their kids to school because they need the Tube to get form home to school. They are really hard for people who haven’t got the luxury to work from home.
“In the past, in exceptional circumstances, because of record-breaking inflation levels, because of Liz Truss’s mini Budget, I have supported the Met police service, the Fire Brigade and Transport for London financially.
“I am not able to do so. That was an exceptional circumstance. That is why I would encourage TfL and the RMT to get round the table and sort this out.”
Hundreds of thousands of defiant Londoners battled into their central London workplaces by Elizabeth line, bus and bike for the second day this week - as some small traders accused the union of holding London to ransom.
E-bike operators Lime and Forest saw a surge in demand, as many commuters took to the roads to avoid jam-packed buses.
